Chapter 25: The Debt of Saving a Life

A faint sweetness spread from the tip of his tongue, along with…

Faster than his reaction were the sudden tears that fell with a plop.

All the falls and tumbles along this journey, the pain and aches that Meng Jun had deliberately ignored, now surged up together.

Along with the cold wind blowing from the valley, the choking earthy smell all around, and this endless darkness. All of these made the young gentleman feel increasingly aggrieved.

He was truly very afraid, afraid of the dark and loneliness, but even more afraid of not finding Li Ruantang.

Fortunately, she had appeared now, and had caught him safely.

The weight hanging in the young gentleman’s heart finally lifted, and his slightly swollen phoenix eyes curved happily.

He had just turned his head, about to call out to Li Ruantang.

The cool fingertips caressed her index finger, but did not feel the familiar scar.

“Huh?” Meng Jun’s back went cold, and after feeling those hands again for a moment, he suddenly pushed the person away.

Li Ruantang’s fingers were far more slender and powerful than these hands.

The young gentleman stumbled forward a few steps, then turned and gripped the tree branch in his hand, pointing it in the direction he had just come from, angrily saying, “Who are you!?”

He was both angry and afraid. As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a short whistle.

In an instant, countless torches lit up around him, dimly illuminating the figure standing there.

Dressed in fine clothes, even standing in muddy water, she still looked noble and gentle.

“Young Master Meng.” The newcomer visibly sighed in relief, “You’ve been frightened these past few days, but fortunately, Wei did not fail the task entrusted to me and finally found you.”

“Wei… Official Wei?” Meng Jun stood dazed in place, unable to discern for a moment whether she was an illusion or truly appearing before him.

“Actually, Wei should have arrived yesterday.”

Wei Yunruo politely turned her face aside, sweeping a glance at the small bundle tightly tied to the young gentleman’s back with her peripheral vision, and said gently, “But something delayed me yesterday, which caused Young Master Meng to be frightened here again. *cough cough*”

A trace of pain flashed across her usually gentle face with the coughing sound, before Meng Jun could ask.

Eighteen, who was attending to Wei Yunruo, hurriedly approached with a torch, “My lady, your cold hasn’t improved, the doctor specifically instructed yesterday for you to rest well for two days. The Hanlin Academy only gave you three days off in total, but you’ve spent it all coming and going on the road.”

“Be quiet, don’t be so talkative.” Wei Yunruo was used to being gentle, so even when she put on a stern face to scold someone, it lacked some sharpness.

She glared at Eighteen, then cupped her hands towards Meng Jun apologetically, “Young Master Meng, please don’t listen to this girl’s nonsense. Since Wei accepted the task from Han Fushi, I must keep my word.”

“Now that I’ve coincidentally encountered Young Master Meng, Wei will escort you back to the capital.”

Back to the capital?

Meng Jun instinctively took half a step back.

The gentleman before her was in a disheveled state, his bitten lip and lowered eyes like those of a frightened young beast, making Wei Yunruo feel quite sympathetic.

She softened her voice and slowly took a few steps forward, “Young Master Meng, don’t be afraid. Although the road is dark, with Wei here, I definitely won’t let you worry unnecessarily.”

“If you have any inconveniences, you can tell Wei directly, and I will do my utmost to help.”

“Really?” The young gentleman’s eyes brightened as he lowered his head, glancing at her a few times, “I can make any request?”

“Of course.” Wei Yunruo smiled, just about to reach out her hand to support him.

Then she heard that slightly hoarse, cool voice say, “Please, Official Wei, help me find someone.”

The young gentleman spoke urgently, not finishing who he was looking for before choking on his saliva, covering his face with his sleeve and coughing softly.

“Young Master?” Wei Yunruo concernedly stepped forward, but before she could touch his sleeve, the young gentleman nimbly withdrew, just managing to avoid her. He patted his own chest with his hand, saying embarrassedly, “I’ve made Official Wei laugh at me.”

“It’s alright.” Wei Yunruo very naturally put her hand behind her back, only saying kindly, “Wei and Han Fushi are somewhat related. If you don’t mind, you can call me elder sister.”

“Eh?” There was still a faint blush on Meng Jun’s face from coughing earlier, and those slightly reddened phoenix eyes stared blankly for a moment before carefully saying, “Wei—”

Although he had called her Wei jiejie many times in private, to address her so directly to her face felt somewhat strange.

Moreover, Wei Yunruo was now staring at him intently.

The young gentleman suddenly felt a surge of awkwardness in his heart, and the “jiejie” that had almost come out of his mouth faltered, still unable to be said.

“I appreciate your kindness, my lady. However, you hold an official position, and if people were to find out later, who knows what stories they might concoct to defame you.”

His mother often said that human hearts are the most unpredictable thing in this world. Especially for an outstanding young woman like Wei jiejie, there must be countless eyes watching her in court.

Meng Jun dared not be careless.

The smile on Wei Yunruo’s face faltered slightly. She glanced at Eighteen beside her, who immediately understood, “My lady, it’s getting late now. If we’re to search for someone—”

The maid paused, showing some difficulty.

“Official Wei.” Meng Jun’s heart raced, and he took half a step forward, “You said I could make any request.”

He hadn’t even said who he was looking for yet.

“Eighteen, how many times have I told you not to be presumptuous!”

Wei Yunruo’s expression turned severe as she raised her foot to kick the talkative maid, “I, Wei, have accepted Han Fushi’s task to find Young Master Meng. How could I go back on my word at this juncture?”

She sternly reprimanded the tactless maid, then turned back with a gentler tone, “Young Master Meng, please don’t listen to this maid’s nonsense. She has been with me for too long and often speaks without consideration.”

“Since I’ve promised you, even if Young Master Meng wanted a star from the sky right now, Wei would do her utmost, let alone just finding a person.”

“Moreover,” Wei Yunruo paused slightly, lowering her voice, “I am also willing to do these things for you.”

“My… my lady?!”

Meng Jun stood there, unable to figure out what she meant by those words. Was he really someone who didn’t know priorities?

Right now, Li Ruantang hadn’t been found yet, what use would he have for a star?

The young gentleman lowered his head glumly, “My lady, I don’t want a star.”

Wei Yunruo felt her heart tighten upon hearing this. Her beautiful eyebrows knitted slightly. It was her first time encountering such an obtuse man.